Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Cherokee County

When you need to make decisions that affect your family, community, business, or farm, look to Cherokee County Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for unbiased, research-based information and education to help you make better decisions.

County News

Do you help take care of an older family member or friend? If so, you are not alone. Over 65 million family caregivers in America provide a vast array of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily or on an intermittent basis. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach is here to help by providing Powerful Tools for Caregivers. Get the tools you need to take care of yourself duringsix sessions held at the ISU Extension and Outreach O’Brien County conference room Monday evenings starting April 6. Sessions run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The O’Brien County extension office is located at 340 2nd St. SE in Primghar.

Identity theft is growing; the fastest growing type of financial fraud.12 million reported cases of fraud last year resulted in $9 million in lost income. The average payment last year was $9,650. Extension and Outreach finance specialists offer log on and learn sessions to learn more.

Yard and Garden:

While the weather outside is currently cold and snowy, spring isn’t far away. This is a great time to get a jump-start on spring planting by germinating seeds and starting flower and vegetable plants indoors. These methods do have some pitfalls, however.

Here are some tips from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists on the proper way to start seeds and plants indoors. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu.

AMES, Iowa – When temperatures are cold outside, it’s the perfect time to plan spring plantings. Include butterfly weed, a pretty, low maintenance perennial, in those plans to add significant beauty and value to a lawn. For maximum growth and beauty, specific growing procedures should be followed.

While mild winter weather is a pleasant surprise, it can have negative effects on plants that bloom ahead of schedule. Here are some tips from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists on the proper way to care for spring-flowering bulbs in winter. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu.